Folding a king-size fitted sheet isn’t hard

Dear Heloise: I have been an avid reader for many, many years. Do you have any tips for folding a king-size fitted sheet after washing? D. Green, Orange, Calif.

Yes, I do, and I just showed students at Texas State University (my alma mater) how to do just this! All you do is slip your hands into two corners as if you were making a hand puppet. Then slip one pocket over the other. With both your hands making “puppets,” join your palms together, then put all four pockets on one hand. Lay the sheet flat and fold in the sides to make a flat rectangle. You should have a nice, clean rectangle now, with the fitted (messy) corners tucked in. Happy folding! Heloise

P.S.: Visit www.Heloise.com to see photos of student teams taking the Heloise Challenge!

Dear Heloise: I read a question about how to clean floor grout. We live on a lake, and we put ceramic tile down. We bought a steamer, and you would never believe the shock we had after using it — all the ick that came off! Now the grout looks like it’s brand-new!

And here’s a hint for jewelry lovers: I have many sets and could never find the right one. I put each set in a plastic zipper-topped bag. The jewelry doesn’t tarnish, and you can see through to find what you want. Also, the bags are easy to store and are ready for travel as well. Bonnie Martin, North Sioux City, S.D.

Dear Heloise: I just read the hint about using a cork to protect the sharp tips of ice picks, awls, etc. I like to use the knitting-needle tip protectors. They work great and come in different sizes. Jeanette Watson, Manchester, N.H.

Dear Heloise: I make a lot of recipes using peanut butter. It’s hard to get peanut butter out of the measuring cup, even with cooking spray or a really good spatula. I use a food scale to see how much 1 cup of my usual brand of peanut butter weighed. When it is time to add the peanut butter, all I have to do is put the mixing bowl on my scale and add the amount of peanut butter by weight. Jan, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: The cup that came with the liquid laundry detergent was always a completely sticky mess! I found that if I just throw it in my load of laundry, it gets cleaned with the rest of the load. I just need to be sure to remember not to throw it into the dryer (which is very easy to do). Now my loads are fresh and my cup is free of the sticky mess! John J., Garland, Texas

Dear Heloise: My car has more cup holders than I use. I put a plastic souvenir cup in a cup holder to use for trash. Kathleen Conrad, Akron

SBlt Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate